Cat Care – The Real Facts About Neutering

Cat Care – Facts About Neutering
By Lyn Nunn

Responsible pet owners owe it to their cats to either have them spayed (female cats) or castrated (male cats). Neutering is also referred to as having your cat ‘fixed’, ‘altered’ or ‘de-sexed’. Unless you are a registered and experienced breeder, neutering is highly recommended.

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Advantages of Neutering

It prevents accidental and unwanted matings thereby controlling the feline population. It lightens the load on animal shelters that already have so many unwanted animals to care for.
Neutered male cats are less likely to roam or seek out a queen that is in heat.
Altered cats have a reduced urge to mark their territory resulting in little if any unwanted spraying. The earlier your feline is fixed the more unlikely it is that he will develop this annoying habit. Cat spraying is one of the major complaints pet owners have.

Neutered males are healthier as they are less likely to get involved in neighborhood cat fights with the subsequent scratches, bites and wounds. Contracting common feline diseases are also reduced.
Neutered pets tend to be more content, less volatile, more predictable and non-aggressive and certainly more affectionate and home-bound.
Obviously spayed female cats have no hormonal urge to mate and tend to be more affectionate pets.

When to Neuter your Cat

Cats reach sexual maturity at around six months! Your veterinarian will normally recommend spaying and castration from 6 months or as soon as possible thereafter.

You do want to avoid any accidental matings, especially at such a young age. Show cats are normally neutered only once they have reached full physical maturity from around 2 years of age.

Owners of show cats generally do not allow their cats outdoors and will most certainly ensure that their cats are isolated from the neighborhood tom whilst they are ‘in season’.

What is Castration?

This is the procedure performed on male cats and is male neutering. It is a reasonably simple procedure whereby a small incision is made in the scrotum and the testes and part of the spermatic cord is removed. The operation is performed under anesthetic.

What is Spaying?

This procedure is performed on female cats and is female neutering. An incision is made either on the flank or on the belly and involves the removal of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.

The operation is performed under anesthetic and is more involved and expensive than male castration. Neutering results in better cat health and you will be doing your bit for society by reducing the unwanted cat population. Be responsible, neuter your cat today!

Lyn is with [http://www.catbreedsjunction.com]Cat Breeds Junction, a resource dedicated to all [http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/types-of-cats.html]types of cats, cat care and cat supplies.

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